Biography

Helena Blase was was born in Kirchlengern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 26 March 1910, as the fifth of seven siblings. She grew up there on a small farm. As a child, Blase had witnessed the outbreak of a major pandemic: from the end of the First World War, the Spanish flu claimed millions of lives. In her hometown she attended elementary school, then worked as a housemaid and later as a housekeeper. From 1952 until she retired, she worked for a teacher in Herford, where she lived. After retiring, she came back to Kirchlengern. In the 1960s, Blase discovered the desire to travel. She flew to Spain, to Tenerife, and she would stay there for three to four months.

Later she had lived in a house with her older sister - until she had to go to the hospital after a fall. The sisters then moved to the care home together, in 2002. Blase actively took part in life there, doing gymnastics, ball sports and also singing.

Blase was never married and speculated it might have been her secret of longevity. She was always fond of children.

After her 106th birthday, Helene Bubble's condition slowly deteriorated. There was always a lot of visitors: the mayor, the deputy district administrator. She enjoyed that and it was always fun with her.

Helene Blase died in Kirchlengern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, abl. 4 April 2020, at the age of 110 years.